Testing / Performance

This next chart, also output by Imatest, shows the difference between the H1’s produced tones and the ideal colors in a more quantitative manner. The squares on the chart represent the ideal colors while the circles represent colors produced by the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1. The farther apart these two shapes are, the less accurate that particular tone is.

Sony must have made some changes to its processor because it performed far better than the W1 and the W7. The Cyber-shot H1 received an overall color score of 9.23. The H1’s colors are rich and highly accurate for cameras within this camera segment, only over-saturating colors by 7 percent. This is nothing to be alarmed about, as most digital cameras over-saturate slightly to get some color out of red, pink, and green tones to hide blemishes in skin and add vibrancy to landscapes. Images produced by the Sony H1 had a 6.54 color error score in this test. The results of the color test are encouraging and should provide "enthusiasts" with the rich, accurate tones they are looking for.

**Still Life Scene
**Below is an image file of our still life scene, complete with Rosie the Riveter and silk flowers. This of course, was captured with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1.

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Click on the image above to view a full-resolution picture, but beware of the large linked file.](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=H1-StillLifeLG.jpg)

Resolution / Sharpness*(4.19)*

The H1’s Super HAD CCD has 5.2 megapixels with 5.1 of them effective for imaging, according to Sony. We test this because the quality of construction has a lot of baring on the camera’s resolution and sharpness. There are "hot pixels" and other imperfections that affect the resolution of images. We test the digital cameras by taking several exposures of the ISO 12233 resolution chart and uploading them into Imatest Imaging Software for analyzing. The software tells us exactly how many pixels are used to form each picture. We report the scores as both a detected or actual pixel count as well as a percentage, in an attempt to standardize results. If a camera comes within 70 percent of the advertised pixel count, we consider that "good." Within 80 percent, it’s "very good" and within 90 percent, it is "excellent" and extremely rare.

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Click on the above chart to view full res image ](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=H1-ResCH-LG.jpg)

Previous Sony digital cameras that we’ve tested have recorded around 83 percent. The Cyber-shot H1 scored at that exact 83 percent with 4.19 effective megapixels. The exposures were taken with an aperture of f/4.5 and with the lens at 13.5 mm. Some over-sharpening occurs within the camera, but overall the H1 receives a "very good" resolution score and produces images with sharp definition.

Noise – Auto ISO*(6.8)
*Most true photo enthusiasts will probably want to toy with the ISO setting themselves, but just to be thorough, we tested the noise levels when the ISO was chosen automatically by the H1. This Sony performed fairly well, with an overall score of 6.8. This is lower than the Sony W7’s score of 8.88, but higher than the W1’s 5.13 score. The H1 definitely scored higher than the comparable SLR-shaped Panasonic FZ5, which had a 2.39 automatic ISO score.

Noise – Manual ISO*(5.78)
*The Sony Cyber-shot H1 offers 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO ratings to manually adjust. This is not a very broad range for the enthusiast crowd, but the camera’s performance will have much more of an impact than its options. We tested the noise levels at each of those settings and determined an overall score (for comparison sake) in a regression analysis. The Sony H1 received a score of 5.78, which is lower than the Sony W-series digital cameras, but higher than the FZ5’s and scores garnered by other 12x zoom cameras. You can check out the noise level at each rating on the chart below. The vertical axis displays the noise level, while the horizontal axis shows the ISO rating.

As you can see in the chart above, the H1 handles noise pretty effectively, maintaining a similar output at 64, 100, and 200 ISO settings. There is a significant jump in perceivable noise when the camera is switched to ISO 400, but still much less noise than is apparent in the Canon S2 or Panasonic FZ5.

Low Light Performance ***(5.5)* 
**If the batteries are running low on your Sony H1, don’t bother trying to shoot in low light. When the camera gets tired, the shutter speeds get faster and faster and the exposure compensation gives up and everything goes a little haywire. However, if you’ve got a fresh set of batteries – and maybe a few spares – you can get some decent pictures with this Cyber-shot. We tested the H1’s competence by taking exposures at really low light: 60, 30, 15 and 5 lux. 60 lux is about the amount of light you’ll get while shooting indoors just after sunset. 30 lux is equivalent to one 40-watt light bulb. 15 and 5 lux are ridiculously dark, but we thought we’d test them anyway just to stretch the limits of the H1. These images are recorded at the camera’s highest ISO rating without the flash and with the white balance customized.

Click on any of the above images to view additional analysis

In terms of brightness, the Sony H1 produced very similar images at each low light rating. The image is considerably darker at 15 lux and even more so at 5 lux, but the images certainly are not in total darkness. This is due in part to the shutter speed reaching a slow 30 seconds. The colors are distinguishable, but there is a lot of noise present (this is quite common though).

**Speed Timing
***Start-up to First shot (7.77) *

The H1 was fairly quick to the draw, when taking its 12x telescopic zoom into account. The camera requires 2.23 seconds to turn on and capture its first image. This is quite fast for an "ultra zoom" model and slightly ahead of Canon’s equivalent, the S2, which takes 2.28 seconds to power up.

*Shot to Shot Time (9.25)
*In terms of successive shots, the H1 was again one of the faster 12x zoom camera we have tested, although not quite as quick as the Canon S2 in shot to shot speed.  The H1 recorded consecutive shots within .745 seconds of each other. This is using the camera’s burst mode, which continued at this rate for five straight images.

Shutter to Shot Time (8.24)

The Cyber-shot H1 has minimal shutter lag at just .38 seconds. By contrast, the Canon S2 needs .5 seconds following the depression of the shutter to capture an image and the Panasonic FZ5 needs a bit longer at .65 seconds.

Physical Tour

Front*(7.5)
*The front of the Sony H1 looks like a typical SLR-styled compact, taking the general shape of an SLR and compressing it. Also, SLRs usually have the lens more centered whereas this Cyber-shot’s 12x optical zoom lens is all the way to the right. The edge of the lens is a step-down ring to add conversion lenses. On the inner rim of the lens are the words "Sony Lens/ Optical 12x, f=6.0-72.0mm 1:2.8-3.7." The lens dominates the look of the front, with the other major feature being the hand grip. The grip is covered with a rubbery material that is comfortable to hold. Above the rubber material at the edge of the grip is a rotating jog dial used to control exposure settings. This dial is small, but can be pushed in and turned to adjust settings. Above this on a beveled edge between the top and front is the shutter release button. Between the grip and lens is the AF illuminator, which also indicates the self-timer. Above the lens is the capitalized and very noticeable Sony logo inscribed on the pop-up flash.

Back*(7.5)
*The back of the Cyber-shot H1 has a very simple button setup that is typical of many digital cameras. Most of the control buttons are laid out on the right side within easy reach of the thumb. The zoom toggle is in the top right corner and has the shape of a pair of sunglasses. Below it is the navigational dial, which is composed of four curved buttons, creating a circular layout. Each button has an icon engraved into it to represent the button’s secondary function, when not in a menu. The top button has a flash icon; the right a flower graphic representing macro mode; the bottom a self-timer icon; and the left a review icon. A non-labeled button sits in the very center of these and is used to select menu options. At the top right of this dial system is the circular Menu button. At the bottom left is the histogram button. At the bottom right is the delete button. To the left of the controls is the large 2.5-inch LCD screen. It has a black frame with the Sony logo at the bottom and "DSC-H1" printed in the top right corner. In the top left are words touting the camera’s "MPEGMovieVX." Above the LCD and raised considerably higher than the rest of the screen is the electronic viewfinder, which is surrounded by a rubber material. To the right of the viewfinder are two buttons: one that switches the display from the LCD to the viewfinder, and the other to activate the image stabilization system. Between these two buttons is a flash indicator light.

Left*(6.5)
*The left side of the H1 looks a little odd with the lens protruding from the front and the viewfinder jutting out at the back. On the side of the lens are the words "12x optical zoom" and in the center of the left side are the words "Super SteadyShot, 2.5" LCD Monitor" along with the Cyber-shot logo. Above all the words is an immovable loop for stringing the neck strap. To the right of the Cyber-shot logo is a plastic door with a finger grip for easy access. Under this labeled door are ports for USB and AV out cables. At the bottom of the camera are three slits that serve as the built-in speaker.

Right*(7.0)
*The side of the right-hand grip is covered in a rubber material that invites you to hold the H1. A loop that looks similar to the nose-ring of a bull is located near the back side; this is for the neck strap. At the bottom of this side is a finger grip for opening the door to the Memory Stick slot.

Top*(7.5)
*When looking at the top, the popup flash appears on the left with the words "Super SteadyShot, 5.1 Megapixels." To its right is the Power button, with the built-in microphone just above it. Directly to the right of the power button is the mode dial, which is a polished silver color with black icons (except the green auto icon). A tiny green LED to its left indicates which mode is in use. All of the camera’s shooting modes are located on this dial – scene modes, manual and semi-automatic, automatic, movie, and playback modes. Above the dial within reach of the index finger are two small circular buttons: one for the focus mode and the other for the bracketing and burst modes. Above these is a larger, more polished and pronounced shutter release button. This sits at the very top edge of the right-hand grip.

Components

**
Viewfinder***(6.5)
*The electronic viewfinder on the Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is consistent with the camera styling. It is extremely accurate, so what you frame is what you get. The resolution isn’t flawless, but it is certainly enough to get the job done. Those graduating from a point-and-shoot model will find the viewfinder to be a useful tool, while those converting from film will probably be distracted by the grain. In low light, the colors of the pixels dance a bit; this happens with most digital video though. With this camera targeting enthusiasts, the viewfinder will probably be used more than one on a cheaper model. To provide a bit of added comfort when utilizing the viewfinder, rather than the LCD, Sony added a rubber eyepiece and raised it from the back of the camera so the photographer’s nose won’t rub the LCD screen. A button next to it switches the viewing display between the viewfinder and the LCD screen.

LCD Screen* (7.0)
*The same information appears whether it is displayed on the electronic viewfinder or the 2.5-inch LCD screen. Most enthusiast-oriented digital cameras include miniscule screens, so the larger format is welcome on the Sony H1. However, the screen has about the same resolution as those smaller screens at just 115,000 pixels. Picture information is displayed over images, but the font size is small enough that it doesn’t distract from the image itself (don’t worry, it is still large enough to remain legible).

The H1’s LCD again comes down to semantics; those looking for a point-and-shoot oriented imager with a large lens will appreciate the large screen, while those looking for a more clear, accurate representation of the frame and recorded images would prefer more resolution. By comparison, the Panasonic FZ5 contains a smaller, 1.8-inch LCD, but it is composed of 130,000 pixels.

Flash*(6.0)
*The Sony Cyber-shot H1 has a pop-up flash that can be set to automatically or manually engage. There are only four settings: on, off, slow sync, and red-eye reduction. The specs on the camera say the flash is effective to 12.4 feet, which isn’t very impressive. Most cameras geared towards "enthusiasts" can reach 15-16 feet. However, the flash seemed sufficient when I tested it. Unfortunately, there isn’t a hot shoe to attach flash accessories, so some hardcore enthusiasts may be disappointed by that. Further, there is no way to control illumination, a feature that is pleasantly included on the Canon S2. Canon’s equivalent model provides a flash exposure compensation feature that will enable users to take close range flash portraits without blowing out the subjects face or blinding them. With the H1, it is basically either on or off.

Zoom Lens*(8.0)
*The 12x optical zoom lens on the H1 is one of the camera’s primary marketing points. Most Sony digital cameras come with a Carl Zeiss lens, so it is a bit disappointing that their "enthusiast" model carries a generic lens. Despite the lack of the brand name, the 36-432 mm lens (in 35mm format) appears to be clear and fairly sharp. To gauge distortion, we photographed a flat piece of graph paper to see just how much the lens distorts the lines. The lines on the edges were bent slightly, so there is some distortion, but it is not significant enough to make your family picture turn into a fun-house mirror.
To make viewing and using the telephoto end of the lens more effective, Sony applied its SteadyShot image stabilization system. This works very well and is particularly useful when the lens is in full telephoto or when shooting video in the camera’s movie mode. Unfortunately, the zoom is not active while recording video, but can be altered before recording. The camera also includes a digital zoom function, which surprisingly, does not work in movie mode.

Unfortunately, the actual zooming mechanism does not move in and out very smoothly. It is a bit jumpy, so if you’re picky about framing something just right (as most enthusiasts will likely be), you may get annoyed at the control. To add some appeal for the more photographically-advanced crowd and more potential earnings for Sony, there are two compatible conversion lenses available for the Cyber-shot DSC-H1. The Sony VCL-DH0758 is a wide angle lens; the Sony VCL-DH1758 is a telephoto lens. Each runs for about $150. Just a note: there is a 2x digital zoom on this camera – but if you’re an enthusiast and care for the quality of your pictures, you won’t be using it.

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance*(7.5)
*This Sony model is the first in the enthusiast line and shows its high-end features off in its design. It looks like an SLR, but the lens does not detach (although conversion lenses do attach). The Sony Cyber-shot H1 boasts a 12x optical zoom lens on the right with a sizable hand grip balancing it on the left. The H1 sticks with a steel-colored body that combines metal, plastic, and rubber elements. Perhaps the most appealing features are found on the back of the camera. The electronic viewfinder is plush and sure to be used by enthusiasts and the 2.5-inch LCD screen is a nice viewing option. Overall, this sizeable Cyber-shot mode is well designed and remains true to the Sony anthem of sleek style.

Size/ Portability*(5.5)
*The H1 is meant for enthusiasts who value cameras with a long lens over one that will fit in their pocket. At 3.2 x 4.2 x 3.2 inches, this Sony digital camera will require its own camera bag or a comfortable strap. While it is slightly bulky, it isn’t quite as hefty as an SLR; however, SLRs may be easier to transport as their detachable lenses will make for a more compact package in a camera bag.

The Cyber-shot H1 weighs 16.2 ounces, but keep in mind that the camera bag may also contain the weight of conversion lenses, batteries, memory sticks, and the other accessories needed for the photo outing (my bag contains pens, pacifiers, papers, press passes and event programs). To aid in portability of the camera, there are loops on each side of the camera and a neck strap is included. Unfortunately, the loops are not directly across from one another, so the H1 hangs awkwardly.

Handling Ability*(7.0)
*Because everyone has different hands, some photographers will love the H1 and others will hate it. I recommend going to a local retailer before buying a camera just to check out how the camera feel in your particular hands (do your research online before you go so you can narrow your choices and fend of salespeople when needed).

I liked the handling of the camera. I thought the right-hand grip was comfortable and the controls were well-positioned. However, a peer picked up the camera and announced that he thought it was incredibly uncomfortable. Looking at his grip on the camera, I could see why. His fingers are large and seemed cramped around the grip. Handle it for yourself and see if it works for you. For those whose hands fit the camera properly, the H1 will handle like a point-and-shoot.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size*(7.0)
*The camera’s controls are right where you think they should be. When holding the H1, the right thumb can control the zoom and access all of the other buttons on the back face. The right index finger controls the shutter release button, of course, as well as the mode dial. The mode dial has textured sides and is roughly the size of a nickel; it is looser than it looks and does not lock into place quite as securely as other models. Most of the H1’s features are accessed via the navigational dial on the back. This dial is composed of four macaroni-shaped buttons that form a circle and point in each direction. In the center of this compass is a non-labeled button which serves as the OK selection button in the menus. All of the buttons are adequately sized for my fingers, but some of the buttons could cause problems for the wide-fingered user.

Menu*(6.0)
*The menu appears as a gray bar across the bottom of the camera with icons representing each feature. As users scroll through the Manual menu, the following functions are available: Metering, White Balance, ISO, Picture Quality, Picture Effects, Saturation, Contrast, Sharpness, and Setup. In the auto mode, only the Setup option is available.

The Setup menu brings users into a gray box-oriented menu without live views. Along the left side of the screen are icons to scroll through, with the right side of the screen being the options from each icon. Camera 1’s options are the following: AF Mode, Digital Zoom, Date/Time, Red Eye Reduction, AF Illuminator, and Auto Review. Camera 2 offers Expanded Focus, Enlarged Icon, Steady Shot, and Conversion Lens. A strange icon on the left reveals the Memory Stick Tool menu with these features: Format (this is way better than deleting individual photos!), Create Rec. Folder, Change Rec. Folder, and Copy. Setup 1 menu has LCD Backlight, EVF Backlight, Beep, Language, and Initialize options. The Setup 2 menu offers File Number, USB Connect, Video Out, and Clock Set options.

Ease of Use*(7.0)
*This Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is as easy to use as its other Cyber-shot counterparts. It is certainly far more simplified and easier to use than a SLR, which makes this camera attractive to the point-and-shoot type enthusiast, rather than the traditional photo enthusiast. The placement of buttons, comfortable grip, and easy to understand icons and menus make the H1 simple to use straight out of the box. This camera is designed for point-and-shooters graduating from their pocket cam and should provide the automatic assistance needed to bridge the transition.

Modes

Auto Mode*(7.0)
*Of course, ease of use is at its easiest in the automatic mode. All of the icons on the mode dial are black except for the auto mode’s green camera icon, which makes it very easy to find. If you’re a novice using this enthusiast camera, you can rest assured that the auto mode is fairly reliable. In my experience, most of the pictures I took in the auto mode turned out great. However, there were a few images captured in low light where the subject moved faster than the shutter, making a blur. In the auto mode, photographers have access to live histograms, the self-timer, macro mode, burst and flash settings. If you choose to turn off the flash in auto mode, then go to playback mode and return to auto mode, the Sony H1 will remember that the flash is off – it does not return to the auto default. Some photographers love this and others hate it; it’s a matter of personal preference. I tend to think that the other modes, such as Programmed AE, are there to remember settings and the auto mode is there to be a quick fix when there’s no time to set the camera.

Movie Mode*(6.0)
*The Sony H1’s movie mode requires the Sony Memory Stick Media Pro to record 30 frames per second in its finest resolution of 640 x 480. The camera ships without the card, so on its own the H1 can produce VGA-quality video at 16 frames per second. The top resolution looks smooth and the standard quality looks okay. When subjects move quickly, sometimes there is a slight blurring effect. The blur is not accompanied by excessive shaking though, thanks to Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization technology. This can be turned on and off – of course it is recommended for movie clips. The optical zoom works in the movie mode, but not while recording. The digital zoom doesn’t even work while recording. This is a particular area of distinction within this field, as some other models have been emphasizing increased functionality and control during video capture.

There is also a video mail option that shoots 160 x 112 pixels at 8 frames a second. This can be emailed easily; however, it is more like an audio clip with an impressionist moving image. Speaking of the audio, the built-in microphone and speaker are pretty awesome. I shot a clip of my younger brother slurping cereal in our dining room. The microphone picked up the spoon clinking on the bowl, the milk swashing through his teeth, the Cocoa Puffs crunching in his molars – everything. However, the mic is a bit too sensitive; it picked up my mom’s telephone conversation in the next room over. So beware of shooting video in crowded areas where your subject isn’t the only person/ thing making noise. Further, the H1’s mic is monaural, so it will not have the multi-channel recordings that the Canon S2 can capture. The S2 IS also contains manually alterable audio quality settings, so while the H1 will record sounds, it is significantly behind in terms of quality and control.

Drive/ Burst Mode*(5.5)
*The burst mode on the Sony H1 is one of the camera’s weaker features, certainly is slowest key performance speed. According to Sony, the H1 takes a picture every 0.7 seconds for nine consecutive shots. However, when I tested the camera at full resolution, it took five shots in a row at about that speed. This is not very impressive, considering some comparable Kodak and Fuji models are taking 2 or 3 frames per second. There is a multi-burst mode option that lets photographers stitch together sixteen 320 x 240 images into a single 1280 x 960-pixel image that resembles an index print. This shoots quite a bit faster because the resolution is so low (and poor, if you ask me): 1/7.5th, 1/15th, and 1/30th of a second.

Custom Image Presets*(5.5)
*All seven of the custom image presets are located on the mode dial, so digging through menus won’t be an issue. While many digital cameras have 12-18 of these scene modes, the Sony H1 is marketed for "enthusiasts" who probably won’t access these as much as a point-and-shooter would. The following are available: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Candle, Beach and Sports. These modes are tailored for specific scenes. For instance, the Sports mode is not meant for a hockey rink or any indoor sports. This mode needs lots more light, so use this only for outdoor sports during daylight hours.

Playback Mode*(7.5)
*Photographers can get a quick peek of their latest shot by pushing the left button on the navigational dial. And if they want to toy with editing options or look at other pictures, the playback mode must be selected on the mode dial. Pictures can be viewed in index pages or full frames. When you scroll through individual pictures, the photos appear blurry at first. It takes a second for the picture to achieve its full resolution (even on the crummy LCD screen!). Movies can be played back, rewound, fast forwarded, paused, and divided into two clips (which I thought was handy for cutting stuff I didn’t want). Movies are played back with sound too – and the volume can be adjusted. My biggest complaint about the playback mode is that there is no Delete All function. You have to individually delete every photograph! Stinks if you have a 1 GB card.

Control Options

**Manual Control Options **

The true mark of an enthusiast’s digital camera is the manual control options offered. Sony offers shutter speeds in 46 steps from 30-1/1000th of a second, apertures from f/2.8-f/8.0, and choices of all kinds of settings: flash, burst, focus, metering, white balance, and ISO. There is also a semi-manual focus feature. It is called "manual," but you can only choose from one of five preset focal lengths.

Focus
*Auto (6.0)
*There are three AF modes offered on the H1. They are: Multi-point AF, Center AF, and Flexible Spot AF. The H1’s Multi-point setting utilizes a three-area auto focus system, which comes short of other cameras’ 7 or 9-area systems. The Flexible Spot AF setting will enable users to determine a specific area of the composition to focus on by moving the AF point around the frame with the directional pad. This will be a useful focusing tool for off-centered subjects.

The H1 focuses accurately 99 percent of the time. However, it does have some flaws. When objects are a foot or so away from the end of the lens, with a visible background, the camera had a difficult time discerning the subject. The focus shifted back and forth and often more on images in the background. However, there is an additional bracket that shows in the viewfinder when the subject is spread out. This provides a nice visual cue, but also helps add sharpness for long, horizontal subjects. Although, when objects were spread vertically through the frame, the camera did not adapt quite as well and showed a bit of its shortcomings in using a 3-point AF system, rather than the FZ5 and S2 IS’s 9-point array. In low light, the H1 shoots off a red illuminator to assist the camera’s focusing system.

Manual (1.0)

Perhaps for those close subject shots, the so-called manual focus would be a better option. The "manual focus" isn’t completely manual; it consists of preset focal increments between 36-432 mm. This provides some manual control over focus, but it is not a suitable substitute for a focus ring.

Exposure*(8.0)
*There are several exposure modes on the Sony H1 including manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, programmed, automatic, and seven shooting presets. All of the modes are located on the main mode dial atop the camera. This Cyber-shot has the standard +/- 2 EV range in 1/3 steps.

Metering*(7.0)
*The Sony H1 offers three metering modes to choose from – multi-pattern, center-weighted, and spot. The multi-pattern option is the camera’s default and uses 49 points throughout the picture to determine exposure settings. The center-weighted option uses only the points in the center. The spot option uses only a small point in the center. The camera measures lighting from these points and exposes the picture according to its findings.

White Balance*(8.0)
*The H1’s white balance menu is found within the shooting menu; it offers typical options: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash, and Manual. The menu is depicted solely in icons that are easily distinguishable. At the top of the white balance menu is the manual set option (just above the manual option). To set the white balance, you just need to scroll up on the menu and you can hear the shutter click – just make sure you’re actually pointing at something truly white. In testing, the manual white balance proved accurate as well as the automatic and Tungsten settings. Colors remained true except when shooting video in low light with the white balance on auto; in that case, whites took on a reddish hue. However, this was fixed by toying with the manual white balance (yes, it is available in the movie mode).

ISO*(7.0)
*The Cyber-shot H1 includes four ISO ratings besides its automatic setting: 64, 100, 200, and 400. This isn’t very impressive. Many digital cameras in this genre between the point-and-shoot and SLR include an 800 and even 1600 ISO rating. This lack will be felt by true enthusiasts looking for a strong night imager. While the lack of sensitivity can be compensated for with the 30 second max shutter duration, a tripod will obviously be required at that point. The limited flash range will also make handheld shots is low light difficult with the H1.

Shutter Speed*(8.5)
*The Sony H1 allows for the shutter speed to be adjusted from 1/1000th of a second to 30 seconds in the manual mode. This is quite impressive for this type of camera and is perhaps the camera’s most enthusiast-oriented feature. This will help out in night photography and aid the lack of sensitivity and limited range of illumination.

The automatic range snaps a bit faster at 1/8-1/2000th of a second. Keep in mind that the optical image stabilization system is a nice sidekick for the shutter speed; you can take better pictures in low light and gain a few stops in shutter speed, helping increase the potential for handheld use.

Aperture*(8.0)
*The aperture can be adjusted in manual or aperture priority mode. The 12x optical zoom lens stops from f/2.8-f/3.7 in its widest setting and from f/3.7-f/8.0 in the telephoto mode. The H1’s f/3.7 max telephoto aperture is also quite impressive and geared towards enthusiasts. This will enable users to shoot longer shots in less lighting and is a particularly nice complement to the camera’s image stabilization system. Most other cameras in this style and price don’t open quite as wide in full telephoto, so the H1 will offer a leg-up in this regard.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options*(8.0)
*This 5-megapixel digital camera offers five different file sizes in two compression settings of Normal and Fine. 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1728, 2048 x 1536, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480 round out the options on the Sony Cyber-shot H1. The highest resolution can be shot in 4:3 or 3:2 format, which makes 4 x 6-inch prints look just the way they were framed in the camera. At the finest resolution, photographers can print up to 11 x 17 inches without "looking digital."

**Picture Effects Mode ***(8.5)
*This Sony Cyber-shot offers several picture effects in its shooting menu. A black and white option is available, as well as a sepia tone. There are also three editing features usually added in post-production that are available in the shooting menu: saturation, contrast, and sharpness. Each of these had a menu with +, -, and Normal options. This is a nice inclusion and will give enthusiasts the option to alter the image parameters to create the desired look straight from the camera or could play with the settings with the intention of compensating for certain adjustments in Photoshop post-capture.

All of these picture effects worked properly; however, the sepia tone is a little too reddish for my liking and the black and white option looks pretty flat.

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
*Software (4.5)
*Sony bundles Picture Package for Windows with the H1. Pixela ImageMixer VCD2 for Mac OSX is also included. Picture Package is a basic photo editing program that allows users to adjust contrast and brightness, resize or crop photos and fix redeye. While there is no Mac version of the software, the camera does work with iPhoto, which offers the same features of Picture Package and then some. Mac users do get ImageMixer VCD2, which is a program that allows users to create video CDs of their images. Video CDs save images in low resolution Mpeg-1 video (352 X 288 ) and are playable on many DVD players and most computers. While a VCD’s resolution is far lower than what the H1 is capable of, they do offer an easy way of playing slide shows or sharing images.

Sony also includes its Cyber-shot Life tutorial software for Windows. The software offers a more in-depth look at the camera’s features than the manual and allows users to simulate the effects of altering settings such as white balance, ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Unfortunately there is no Mac version of the tutorial software

*Jacks, Ports, Plugs (6.5) *

This camera is equipped with the standard AV out and USB 2.0 ports to download pictures and movies to the computer or television screen. The AV out port is NTSC or PAL selectable, so this camera is compatible with European and American electrical systems. When connected to the computer with the USB cable, users must press the Menu button to send pictures to the computer – it doesn’t happen automatically.

*Direct Print Options (4.5)
*There are several ways to directly print these days. Some printers come equipped with slots for memory sticks now. If that’s the case, make sure your printer has a slot for Sony Memory Stick Media. Otherwise, you can print by connecting the Sony H1 directly to a PictBridge compliant printer via the included USB cable. Direct printing is not the easiest thing to do on this camera. First, you must enter a menu and change the USB connection mode to PictBridge. Then you attach the cable and turn the camera on. Once that is done, a menu appears and you can choose whether to print all of the images or to print individual shots. While this gives photographers more printing choices, many users drawn to this type of camera may prefer the hassle-free system of plopping a camera on a printer and having pictures magically pop out without having to press buttons or anything.

*Battery (2.5) *

The Sony H1 uses AA batteries – and uses them fast. It ships with NiMH rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. These last the longest of AA batteries. I had to charge the batteries every night after shooting during the day (and not even all day). By the evening, the LCD would blink a low battery signal and the camera would shut off. AA batteries are appealing to the masses because they are widely available (as opposed to brand-specific lithium ion batteries). Sony appealed to the masses, while marketing to point-and-shoot-oriented enthusiasts with the Cyber-shot H1.

*Memory (6.0)
*This year, all new Sony digital cameras include some internal memory. The H1 carries with it 32 MB of memory. Because this digital camera is marketed for enthusiasts, most will want more storage capacity and will have to purchase the optional memory stick pro card (to gain full video functionality); however, the internal storage is a nice insurance measure and a fortunate inclusion. For the enthusiast crowd, if you want high-quality video, to get a Memory Stick Pro, be prepared to shell out an arm and a leg. A 128 MB Memory Stick goes for $40 on the Sony web site and a 256 MB Memory Stick Pro goes for $50. Prices go up over to over $200. Intrigued consumers should keep this in mind, as it obviously changes the price of the camera significantly.

Other Features*(7.5)*
*Live Histograms - *There are live histograms available if you can find them. The button on the bottom left of the navigational dial activates the live histogram function. This same button also displays histograms in the playback mode. This is an excellent feature for exposure control and a gift to enthusiasts looking into this model.

*Self-Timer - *On the navigational dial, the Sony has a button that sets the standard 10-second self-timer. An orange light flashes slowly, then faster and faster until the shutter snaps open and closed

*Image Stabilization - *I know, you’ve already read about this. But Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization system is one of their big selling points, so I want to make sure you notice it. This is controlled by a button on the back above the LCD. The H1’s default is to have this running all the time, but you can turn it off with the button. I don’t know why you’d want to do that though. The image stabilization works very well. While recording a movie, I purposely shook the camera slightly to see how well the system worked. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the system worked quickly and the LCD picture remained steady even when the camera rocked.

Overall Impressions

Value*(7.0)
*The Sony Cyber-shot H1 is competitively priced with other comparable models with long zoom lenses, image stabilization, and 5 megapixels. At $499.95, the H1 offers a full palette of manual and automatic modes. However, this Sony requires a Sony-brand Memory Stick Media (or Media Pro to fully use the movie mode). The camera comes with a 32 MB card, but enthusiasts will definitely want more memory. Expect to pay at least another $50 for a decent amount of memory. There are also conversion lenses that can be added for $150 each. The H1 is still competitive with other manufacturers, so you still have to choose which camera is right for you based on its qualifications – and not the price tag.

Comparisons
Kodak EasyShare Z7590 – This 5-megapixel digital camera has the same SLR shape of the H1 except it’s slightly smaller. This model offers a similar array of manual and automatic controls with a few differences: the Kodak has a shorter shutter speed range, an additional 800 ISO rating, and the lack of a manual white balance setting. The Z7590 leads Kodak’s high zoom series with a 10x optical zoom lens, but there is no image stabilization. 16 custom image presets make this camera more attractive to point-and-shooters. The movie mode is disappointing at 12 fps at 640 x 480 resolution. However, a 2 fps burst mode sure beats the Sony H1’s speed. At $399, the Kodak is economical and easy to use – but keep in mind, it does not contain image stabilization technology.

• Canon PowerShot S2 IS –*This freshly released Canon depicts colors very accurately and comes in a good-looking package with a 1.8-inch LCD screen that flips out like a camcorder. The S2 IS offers manual quality settings for audio and contains a stereo mic. While the S2 has a similar 12x optical zoom lens doubles up with an optical image stabilization system, there is a flash exposure compensation feature that provide control over illumination that is not available on the H1. The movie mode shoots 30 frames per second at 640 x 480 and takes still pictures at a full 5 megapixels. The S2 IS comes with a $499.99 price tag.

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 –* This 5-megapixel model also goes for $499, has a 12x optical zoom lens (a nice Leica one), and has image stabilization with two modes. So what are the differences between this and the Sony H1? The Panasonic FZ5 has a substandard movie mode, a 1.8 inch LCD screen (although it does have higher resolution with 130,000 pixels), and somewhat noisy still images. However, it is more compact than the H1, depicts colors accurately, hardly has any shutter lag, and shoots at 2 fps in its burst mode.

*Konica Minolta DiMage Z5 –*This 5-megapixel model also has a 12x optical zoom lens and retails for $499.95. It offers image stabilization technology and has a better flash and even a hot shoe atop the camera. It also has a much stronger movie mode with high resolution, optical zoom and image settings. However, the Z5 eats batteries, has a significant shutter lag, a short ISO range, and an oddly shaped body.

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**Who it’s For
***Point-and-Shooters -* This model isn’t marketed for the point-and-shooter, but should be. It’s easy to use and has a simple automatic mode. It may not be the most economical choice for someone who will only use the auto mode, but it is optimized for it.

Budget Consumers - This depends on the type of budget you are on. You’ll pay about $500 for the camera and another $100 for 1 GB of memory, then $150 for each conversion lens you purchase. Keep in mind that the camera is only part of the purchase.

Gadget Freaks - The outer shell of the H1 has enough buttons to attract the gadget-minded. However, the most interesting feature on this Sony is the movie mode’s "divide" option that splits a clip into two (handy for deleting stuff you don’t want). Gadget freaks may be more attracted to other models with more toys.

Manual Control Freaks - The Sony DSC-H1 should attract photographers who appreciate controlling the picture’s parameters. A fully manual mode as well as some semi-automatic modes with a few manual controls should be enough to please some users graduating into more control, but those accustomed to full control over the image might find the single (and flimsy) job dial a bit cumbersome to utilize and will not like the limitations of the camera’s flash.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists - The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is marketed for enthusiasts, but depending on your level of enthusiasm, you may or may not like this model. If you’re looking to add to your collection of medium format and 35mm film SLRs, a digital SLR might be the only logical addition; however, if you’re a pro that wants a vacation camera that isn’t quite so hefty as your 5-pounder, but still want to retain some degree of control, this could be a logical option.

Conclusion

This model isn’t marketed for the point-and-shooter, but should be. It’s easy to use and has a simple automatic mode. It may not be the most economical choice for someone who will only use the auto mode, but it is optimized for it. This depends on the type of budget you are on. You’ll pay about $500 for the camera and another $100 for 1 GB of memory, then $150 for each conversion lens you purchase. Keep in mind that the camera is only part of the purchase. The outer shell of the H1 has enough buttons to attract the gadget-minded. However, the most interesting feature on this Sony is the movie mode’s "divide" option that splits a clip into two (handy for deleting stuff you don’t want). Gadget freaks may be more attracted to other models with more toys. The Sony DSC-H1 should attract photographers who appreciate controlling the picture’s parameters. A fully manual mode as well as some semi-automatic modes with a few manual controls should be enough to please some users graduating into more control, but those accustomed to full control over the image might find the single (and flimsy) job dial a bit cumbersome to utilize and will not like the limitations of the camera’s flash. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is marketed for enthusiasts, but depending on your level of enthusiasm, you may or may not like this model. If you’re looking to add to your collection of medium format and 35mm film SLRs, a digital SLR might be the only logical addition; however, if you’re a pro that wants a vacation camera that isn’t quite so hefty as your 5-pounder, but still want to retain some degree of control, this could be a logical option.

Conclusion

**Conclusion
**I’ll be honest with you. When Sony announced that the Cyber-shot H1 was their "enthusiast model," I was not impressed. To me, enthusiasts were people who were accustomed to shooting in RAW format and contained one, if not many SLRs. As you know, the H1 is not an SLR, nor is it close in terms of image quality and functionality. The camera only shoots in JPEG format, has no flash illumination adjustments, only offers mono audio recording, and has a slow burst, so it’s really not qualified for that demographic. However, for the digital camera enthusiast (as opposed to the serious hobbyist/ professional user), the camera is certainly a viable option.

Point-and-shoot users looking to graduate from their pocket-friendly camera will find the H1 to be a sizeable jump in performance capabilities and functionality. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 will take nice 5 megapixel images with rich colors and minimal noise as well as providing image stabilization technology. It also has a showy 2.5-inch LCD screen, although its 115,000 pixels is sub-par. The H1 is designed to look like an SLR, but handle like a point-and-shoot. It succeeds, as it is incredibly easy to use (except one annoying little fact: no Delete All function and a menu-buried Format function). The movie mode is fun to play with because of its excellent audio and good playback layout. The 12x optical zoom lens is a very nice feature, especially when coupled with the effective image stabilization system. The camera is comfortable to hold with its rubber grip. The H1 is more compact than SLRs, but beefier than the slim-line models. In the end, the camera will offer advanced point-and-shoot functionality in a larger package. The camera is no supplement for an SLR, but for those looking just below, the H1 is a formidable alternative.

Specs

**Specs Table **
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